 The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change provided clearance to carry out pre-development work for the airport in April 2017.However, work could not begin until 14 June 2017 due to opposition from local villagers.Pre-development work includes flattening the Ulwe hill, reclaiming marsh land, diverting the Ulwe river outside the airport boundary and widening the channel to 60 metres, and shifting power transmission lines.